Trumpington Meadows volunteering: Wednesday 21 March

The next volunteering day is on Wednesday 21st March, meeting at 10am at the Ranger’s barn. We’ll be finishing several tasks including a rake and litter pick of the swales to remove debris built up over the winter as well as planting a small extension to the field hedgerow in this area to help reduce disturbance to ground nesting birds here. If the weather is good we will have a check on the south side to see if any butterflies have emerged. All tools, safety wear and light refreshments will be provided – if you have wellington boots it might be worth bringing them. If you’re able to send me an email confirming attendance that would be appreciated. For those unsure of where the barn is it’s best reached by either walking straight down the road behind Waitrose towards the meadows or parking in Byron’s Pool car park (off Grantchester Road, CB2 9LJ). It’s the large black building near the church tower. If you have any questions just drop me a line.

Following the 21st, the next session will be on Wednesday 4th April.

Wildlife news

· On Tuesday Trumpington Meadows had its first migrant bird of spring pass though – a sand martin that skimmed over the balancing pond on its way north. Sand martins are classic early arrivals to the British Isles but this was still one of the first seen in Cambridgeshire this year! Find attached some other Trumpington wildlife highlights from January – February.

· Water voles were spotted at Trumpington Meadows in 2017 but nationally the species is still declining

· March heralds the beginning of the bird breeding season and at Trumpington Meadows we’ve been busy installing new nest boxes for a range of species and putting up bigger signs to advertise which areas of the site are suitable for dogs to be off lead. We are continuing to monitor activity and ask all dog walkers to please observe these, in some areas dog mess is becoming a serious health and safety problem as well as being distressing for other site users, staff and volunteers.